Chattanooga's Ruth Holmberg to receive ArtsBuild honor

Chattanooga's Ruth Holmberg to receive ArtsBuild honor

ArtsBuild, formerly Allied Arts, has announced it will present its first Arts Leadership Award to Ruth Holmberg, the former publisher of The Chattanooga Times and a noted philanthropist.

Holmberg will receive the award during a reception ceremony on March 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Space at Warehouse Row.

The award recognizes Holmberg for "her extraordinary support of the arts and cultural community in Chattanooga over the past 68 years," according to a news release.

Holmberg served as publisher of the Times from 1964 to 1992.

She has long been active in the support of the arts in Chattanooga, serving as chairwoman of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Association and the Hunter Museum of American Art. She also is a founding member of the Tennessee Arts Commission.

"When we decided to establish this award, there was really no debate over who should be the first recipient," said Dan Bowers, president of ArtsBuild. "Ruth Holmberg embodies ArtsBuild's mission of building a stronger community through the arts. Without her vision and unparalleled leadership, Chattanooga would not be the vibrant arts community it is today."

Daniel Stetson, executive director of the Hunter Museum of American Art, noted Holmberg's more than 50-year involvement with the Hunter.

"It is impossible to say enough about what Ruth has done for the arts in Chattanooga," he said. "Her generosity is visible on the walls in many of our galleries."

Stetson said a museum staff member described Holmberg as "an arts angel whose generosity inspires a community."

ArtsBuild has invested more than $65 million to support and nurture the arts in Chattanooga since its founding.